Anti-Catholic Family

[Caesar517]

Last Easter Vigil, the family came into the Church!!!

That’s fantastic!

 

[rolltidefan]

I have to say that I agree completely with what kage_ar said. I think that is the best way to approach it…just drop it or never bring it up in the first place. I will give you an example of what happened with my husbands family this Christmas. My husbands mom and dad are Catholic, but the rest of his family are baptist and then of course I am throwed in the mix of being Church of God!!! lol Anyway, he has a cousin and his wife that do not attend church at all. Well, this particular cousin called and told his grandmother that he wanted to come, but he was tired of every year it becoming a who is right and wrong about religion and could she please have a talk with my husbands parents and the other aunts and uncles about not discussing religion because it just ends up in a big argument. Well, I found this acutally quite sad. I don’t think what my inlaws who are Catholic or even the aunts and uncles who are baptist realize is that you will not win people over by aruging. You will win them by your actions of them seeing your walk as a christian and them seeing Christ through you. I think having a bitter religous discussion with family that you know believe something different is very wrong. I think there are a lot more to talk about with family that you have not seen for a whole year besides who is right and who is wrong with their religious beliefs. Needless to say, I actually think this makes both sides wrong. I also don’t see these cousins ever coming to either one of the churches as long as they see that this is how family gets along talking about it and it is just a big fight. I love my belief and I am very zealous about it, but I think there is a place and time for the talk. Just like coming on here, I know this is a Catholic site, so when I come here, I know I am probably not going to like what some people say, just like one of the above posters calling it a false religion, well I could get my panties in an uproar about it, but this is a Catholic site, so I have to accept that. This place is an appropriate place to discuss religion, not a family function that you know is going to upset people. God Bless You!

 

[gron0083]

Teach your child what you believe. Teach him not everyone believes the same thing. When it comes to religious matters, teach him that the Church is the pillar and foundation of truth. Politics is different, you have an opinion, and tell him that not everyone has the same opinion. Try not to raise politics to the same importance as Faith. Your faith impacts your politics, not vice versa.

This is awesome advice - I was just lurking around and saw this and wanted to say thank you because it has been on my mind recently. My son is only 8 months old, but I want to know how to respond to him because this will likely be an issue with my family…Thanks!!!

 

[rosary_for_life]

Mostly I ignore this behavior, but his dd will make “Catholic” comments… like Oh thats right you can’t do that because you are CATHOLIC… like it is a bad thing.

I’ve had that kind of comment too, regarding fasting, “Oh, are you not allowed to have that either?” Only in this instance I don’t think the person meant anything bad. But still, it’s so hard to let these things bother you.

 

[Claire_C]

My aunt (my mom’s sister-in-law) is very secular, and can be a little anti-Catholic at times. Their whole family is very liberal, of the type that will take any situation or conversation and turn it into a dig at conservatives. It’s annoying. I never really noticed it growing up, because I think my parents didn’t want me and my siblings to lose respect for them, and were pretty tactful. I do remember growing up with my parents discussing anti-Catholicism with us though, and faith and philosophy as well. My dad would read articles aloud from First Things and Catalyst, etc. while we helped our mom make dinner, that kind of stuff. Now at family gatherings, I notice the tension sometimes, but usually we can turn it into a good discussion. I think much of the time people who are secularists spout anti-Catholic bigotry they’ve heard with out thinking it through. Now that I’m older, I call them on it, and they’ve chilled out. I’m glad my parents didn’t complain about it when we were younger within our earshot - we just had fun with our cousins. I think parents should try to warn and educate their children about ideas, while teaching them respect and charity towards people, so eventually they’ll care enough to gently debate those people.

 

[ngibbons]

Raised by wonderful Catholic parents my 5 sisters and I all had the same guidance. It has been difficult to see over the years 2 sisters do not go to church, 1 very angry at the church 1 hanging in there and 2 of us devout. The children of my sisters that left the church have, for the most part, followed their parents and many have left the church. The children of my devout sister all have a strong faith although several have left the church (she had 11 children). My children all seem to be struggling after being wracked by divorce. I pray every day that we do not lose their souls. We continue to give guidance as best we can and pray that they will be drawn to the positive example we set. …I guess we will see…